Shower thought

Slivers of un-turquoised toenail
denote nine days absence from my home
but should be painted golden
for the pleasures I had elsewhere

Sweaty from doing it in the sun

Ironing linen trousers:
tissue flakes to be removed
ten or more manipulations
and then they never hang up right.

On rising

Same time
same quality of silver dawning light
behind still night-black trees
as last week, through slatted blinds,
in Alabama

Anticipating visitors

Dusting top of dresser
(first time in decades)

On my way to buy a morning paper, # 67

Outside the pub
purple coin-sized blotches -
blood? -
and, perched on a concrete bollard,
a non-stick frying pan.

On my way to buy a morning paper, # 66

Fresh-damped dust and ancient pepper -
the smell of new rain following nearly a week of dry

In the mirror

The recently-arrived bracket of disgruntlement
on the left side of my mouth
no longer disappears completely
when I smile.

On my way to buy a morning paper #65

A flock of seagulls, by the sound of it;
only four in actuality.
(Wasn't there a group called that?)

Glorious blue morning

Magpie drilling indignation
at next-door's cat.

On my way to buy a morning paper #64

Blackness of high-looming clouds made evil by the not-yet-risen sun.